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Armchair travel resources for china.

armchair travel china

Armchair Travel Documentation

armchair travel china

Sightseers Wanted Invitation Poster

armchair travel china

Travel Passport

armchair travel china

Travel Passport Template

armchair travel china

Boarding Pass

armchair travel china

China Fast Facts

armchair travel china

You Tube Links - Documentaries - China

Profiles and cue cards.

armchair travel china

Chinese Multicultural Cue Cards

Chinese multicultural profile, room decorations.

armchair travel china

General Bunting Instructions

armchair travel china

General Cocktail Flag Instructions

armchair travel china

General Napkin Ring Instructions

armchair travel china

China Bunting - Template

armchair travel china

China Cocktail Flags - Template

armchair travel china

China Napkin Rings - Template

Wall posters.

armchair travel china

A Map of the People’s Republic of China

armchair travel china

Beijing Summer Palace scenery, Buddha House in the summer morning

armchair travel china

Beijing, China – Tiananmen’s gate tower in Tiananmen Square

armchair travel china

Forbidden City in Beijing China

Great wall of china at badaling in the mountains in the north of the capital beijing..

armchair travel china

Lhasa, Tibet, China-Views of the Potala Palace, former residence of the Dalai Lama

armchair travel china

Lijiang City, Jiangsu Province, Lizhong Water Forest Park Landscape

armchair travel china

Suzhou Garden in China

armchair travel china

The Leshan Giant Buddha

armchair travel china

The Terracotta Army warriors at the tomb of China’s First Emperor in Xian. Unesco World Heritage site

armchair travel china

A view of the dangerous 99 curves at the Tongtian Road to Tianmen Mountain, The Heaven’s Gate at Zhangjiagie, Hunan Province, China

armchair travel china

Tourists walking at The Bridge at Tianmen Mountain, The Heaven’s Gate at Zhangjiagie, Hunan Province, China

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BashfulAdventurer.com

Armchair Traveling: Next Destination—Asia

Asia map

Currently on my to-go list is Asia. I want to visit India, China, Vietnam, Singapore. I was charmed by Leila Hadley’s A Journey with Elsa Cloud , a memoir about a mother-daughter adventure in India where both seem to disapprove of each other, not surprising given the one’s perfectionism and the other’s New Age mellow.

The first step toward Asia is the wish to get there. Photo credit: L. Tripoli

The first step toward Asia is the wish to get there. Photo credit: L. Tripoli

I’m still drawn to China even though Susan Jane Gilman ’s Undress Me in the Temple of Heaven —about her travel with a close friend who suffers a mental break on the trip—is a much harder journey than the one I want. Similarly, W. Somerset Maugham gives his characters in The Painted Veil a rough ride but leaves me longing for a visit to Asia.

Right now, I can’t wait to get my hands on a copy of Singapore Noir , a book of short stories edited by Cheryl Lu-Lien Tan , author of A Tiger In The Kitchen: A Memoir of Food & Family . What I know about Singapore is very little—somehow it’s a city-state, my day job has a campus there, I remember something about a caning incident involving a teenaged American accused of vandalizing cars—so I clearly need to learn more.

SingaporeNoir_LoRes

—Lori Tripoli

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2 comments for “ armchair traveling: next destination—asia ”.

Sounds like a perfectly logical way to think about and plan for upcoming trips! I also like to watch movies that feature locations from a place I want to go. 🙂 By the way, love your pic of the Terracotta Warrior. I saw them on tour in NYC in 2012, after first becoming interested after reading a very old National Geographic article about them as a kid. Sooo cool!

I’m a big film buff, too, Deborah. If you have any recommendations for movies set in Iceland (I’m heading there later this year), please let me know!

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Dave's Travel Pages

Greek Island Hopping | Greece Travel Ideas | Bicycle Touring

Armchair Travel: How To Virtually Explore The World

Want to travel but haven't got the funds or the time? No problem! You can explore the world from the comfort of your own home with armchair travel. Here's how.

Ways to travel the world virtually from the comfort of your armchair

What is an armchair traveler?

Armchair travel is the act of exploring a place, learning about a culture, or going on an adventure without leaving your home. It's the perfect way to learn about new cultures and destinations, and it can be a great way to escape your everyday life for a little while.

Being and armchair traveler doesn't mean you're lazy, it just means you're resourceful! There are endless ways to armchair travel, and with a little creativity, you can go anywhere in the world without even stepping out your front door.

Related: Why people like to travel

How to armchair travel

There are many ways to armchair travel, but some of the most popular methods include:

Travel Blogs

Well, I suppose I would say this, wouldn't I?! But travel blogs are a fantastic resource for armchair travelers.

Whether you're planning a road trip, searching for information on a dream destination , or just looking for some inspiration, travel blogs are a great way to explore the world from your armchair. You can even interact with other travelers and get first-hand insights and recommendations.

Dave's Travel Pages

Here at Dave's Travel Pages for example, you will find blog posts relating to bicycle touring as well as how to plan a vacation in Greece . My site is the perfect inspiration for armchair travel lovers!

Vlogs are also a good way to find out information about different places around the world, and to see things you normally wouldn't. Watching YouTube videos, like this one from Kleftiko Bay in Milos, Greece sure does make you want to visit there!

Social Media

Social media is a powerful tool that can be used for much more than just staying in touch with friends and family. With a little bit of exploration, you can use social media to armchair travel.

Start by following some travel bloggers, pages, and hashtags on your favorite platform. This will help you find interesting content and accounts to follow.

Other people's travel experiences can be a great source of inspiration and information for your own armchair travels. Following along on someone else's journey can be a great way to see the world without even leaving your home.

You can also use social media to connect with people from all over the world. Joining online communities and groups is a great way to learn about new cultures and make friends from different parts of the globe. Who knows, you might even find some armchair travel buddies!

Virtual Tours

One of the best ways to armchair travel is to take advantage of the wealth of information and experiences that are available online. There are now virtual tours for some of the most popular tourist destinations in the world, and they're a great way to explore a place without even leaving your living room.

You can find virtual tours for museums, historical sites, natural wonders, and more. Many of these tours are interactive, which means you can explore at your own pace and choose what you want to see.

While virtual travel experiences can never replace the real thing, they're a great way to get a taste of a new place. Some even allow you to see ancient sites as they were meant to be seen – without the crowds!

Some virtual tours you could look for include:

  • Sistine Chapel
  • Machi Picchu in Peru
  • Western Australia
  • National Parks
  • The Great Wall of China

Books are the most popular way both plan a future trip and to armchair travel. When you read about a destination, you can almost feel like you're there.

If you want to learn more about a specific place, try reading books set in that location or by authors from that culture. A guide travel book like Lonely Planet or Rick Steves can also be a great resource. Did you know I have a guidebook about Milos now available on Amazon?

Milos and Paperback Guidebook

For armchair travel, fiction books can be just as good as non-fiction. If you want to explore a new culture, try reading a book set in that country. You can even read books in translation to get a taste of another language and culture.

They can transport you to new places, teach you about other cultures, and give you a different perspective on the world. If you're not sure where to start, try reading some travel memoirs, novels set in different countries, or even cookbooks from around the world.

You can also read books about how to stay safe when you eventually do travel such as this one: Looking for Lemons .

If you're looking for travel inspiration, nothing quite beats a good travel movie. There are now travel channels and entire networks dedicated to travel content, so you're sure to find something to suit your interests.

Whether you want to watch documentaries about far-flung places, learn how to cook local dishes, or just see some beautiful scenery, there's a travel movie out there for you.

Don't know where to start? I've got a complete guide here to the best movies to inspire wanderlust .

Travel Songs and Playlists

Let's not forget the power of music! Songs can transport you to different places and times, and they can be the perfect way to set the mood for armchair travel.

If you want to explore a specific destination, try finding songs about that place or by artists from that culture. You can also find travel-themed playlist on Spotify and other music streaming platforms.

Here's some great songs to add to a travel playlist you can have in the background as you travel from the comfort of your armchair!

  • Google Earth

For people who want to explore the world from the comfort of their own home, Google Earth is a must. This free program allows you to see satellite images of almost anywhere in the world.

You can explore cities, landmarks , natural wonders, and more. You can even take a virtual tour of some of the most popular tourist destinations. Google Earth is a great way to get a bird's-eye view of the world and to armchair travel to far-flung places.

  • National Geographic

If you want to explore the world without leaving your home, National Geographic is a great place to start. This website has a wealth of information about different cultures and destinations, as well as beautiful photos and videos.

You can learn about different cultures, find travel tips, and even plan your next trip. National Geographic is a great resource for armchair travelers and anyone who loves to explore the world.

Put a big map on the wall

No armchair traveller should be without a map! Not only will it help you plan future trips, but it's also a great way to track the places you've been virtually.

A map of the World

Talk to family and friends

What better way to learn about the world than to talk to family and friends who have traveled?

They can tell you about their experiences, recommend places to visit, and even provide some insider tips. If you don't have any friends or family who have traveled, try joining an online forum or social media group dedicated to travel.

Tips On Virtual Experiences and Travel Inspiration

Here's a few quick tips to get the most out of armchair travel:

  • Find a comfortable spot to relax in and make yourself comfortable.
  • Put on some music or background noise that sets the mood and helps you relax.
  • Make sure you have everything you need within reach, including snacks and drinks!
  • Have a map handy so you can follow along with the places you're reading about or watching.

How to find new and interesting places to explore online

  • Do a search on Google or another search engine.
  • Check out websites like National Geographic and Lonely Planet.
  • Browse travel-related social media groups and forums.
  • Watch travel movies and shows for inspiration.
  • Ask family and friends about their experiences.

The best free armchair travel websites and apps

Some useful websites and apps include:

  • Lonely Planet
  • Travel Movies and Shows

The benefits of armchair travelling The great thing about armchair travel is that it's easy and affordable. You don't need to spend money on airfare or hotels, and you can explore the world from the comfort of your own home.

Armchair travel is also a great way to learn about different cultures and destinations. You can watch documentaries, read books, or even talk to family and friends who have traveled.

And, of course, armchair travel is the perfect way scratch that travel itch and to explore the world if you're unable to travel due to health reasons, financial challenges, or other constraints.

So what are you waiting for? Start planning your next online experiences and begin an armchair adventure today!

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Armchair traveler final thoughts

An armchair traveler is an individual who explores the world from the comfort of their own home. Equipped with nothing more than a curious mind and an insatiable thirst for knowledge, armchair travelers embark on virtual journeys through the pages of books, magazines, documentaries, or the vast expanse of the internet. These intrepid adventurers live vicariously through the experiences of others, allowing them to traverse distant lands and cultures without ever leaving their living room. So, if you're someone who dreams of faraway places but can't pack a suitcase just yet, join the ranks of armchair travelers and let your imagination take flight!

Armchair Travel: 16 Ways To Travel The World From Home

Got the wanderlust but you’re not able to travel anywhere at the moment? That’s okay – you can become an armchair traveler and explore all the places you want from the comfort of your bed.

You’ll need a computer or a smartphone, a good internet connection, and an idea of a place you want to explore. Nothing else is required for armchair travel, and if your interest is peaked, you can read all about armchair travel right here in this detailed guide!

What Is Armchair Travel?

Armchair travel is kind of like a staycation, but instead of exploring the local attractions, you don’t even have to leave the house. It’s discovering new places from the comfort of your chair, hence the term armchair travel.

It can include anything from looking over photos from your past trips to spending hours on Google Earth, walking around the streets of a city you’ve never been to. It’s pretty much just detaching yourself from your current surroundings and immersing yourself in things related to a different country so that for a moment you actually feel like you are there.

It’s as simple as reading a book about Paris while listening to Edith Piaf and eating a croissant.

16 Ways To Travel The World From Home

Technology has come far enough to allow us to travel the world from the comfort of your own home. Well, not quite, but it’s almost there – you can explore the streets of any country in the world from the comfort of your bedroom, you can learn about the best restaurants, and you can even do virtual tours of museums and other famous attractions – you just have to zoom in enough on the world map. That’s the beauty of living in the age of virtual reality and 360-degree images.

I’m just getting started, and here are even more armchair travel ideas that will help you explore your dream destination from home!

Read Travel Blogs

Just because you can’t hop on an airplane and head to a new destination doesn’t mean you can’t learn about it and explore it. Reading travel blogs is a good way to explore new countries through the eyes and lenses of other travelers.

It’s a form of virtual travel that allows you to draw from other people’s experiences. The key is to find a travel blogger you can relate to and whose content you enjoy reading. Immerse yourself in their content, and sooner than you know it, you’ll become an expert on a destination you’ve never even visited.

There are thousands of travel blogs run by people from all around the world, so it shouldn’t be too hard to find at least one that you enjoy.

Virtually Explore US National Parks

Most US National Parks offer virtual tours that are absolutely perfect for an armchair traveler. You can explore any national park you want from the comfort of your home, and you can even peek inside museums and other unique attractions that the national parks have.

Of course, it’s not the same as reaping the benefits of a hot spring inside a national park, but it’s a great way to explore nature and get to know more about the national parks. There’s also the added benefit of not having to deal with snakes, bugs, and the changing weather that’s so common in the NPs.

Head to the Google Arts & Culture website to see all the 52 national parks and historic sites from the US that have made their collections available for digital exploration. You can also see loads of other famous attractions from countries all over the world here, but more details on that later.

Read A Travel-Related Book

If you’re a bookworm, this is the easiest way to become an armchair traveler. Find some travel-related books that you enjoy reading and allow yourself to live in their worlds for the next few days.

Also, a travel-related book can be anything. It could be the autobiography of your favorite artist who recounts all the places life has taken him to, a proper travel guide to a different country, or even a fiction novel set in a foreign country.

Travel guides and coffee table books related to travel are the safest options if you’re not an avid reader. From travel guides through the US to detailed exploration of Italy’s best beaches – there are countless travel books out there, and you just need to search for one that’s about the destination you’re most interested in.

Those who prefer fiction have even more options. I can’t help myself and I have to recommend Jo Nesbo’s Harry Hole series – the popular crime novels are set in Norway, primarily Oslo, and the detailed descriptions of the city’s top sights will truly transport you to the Nordics for a moment.

Listen To Travel Podcast

Not a big fan of reading or watching TV? Put on a travel podcast then and listen to other people recount the details of their latest trips. You’ll hear some fun and interesting stories for sure, but you may also learn about the inconveniences that might arise should you choose to travel to the same destinations.

We Travel There is a great podcast hosted by Lee Huffman. He interviews locals from all around the world, so every episode is about a different city. The local attractions and best places to visit are usually highlighted in each episode, making this podcast worth checking out even when you’re planning a travel itinerary.

Where To Go is also a great podcast, mostly because it’s hosted by the team behind DK Eyewitness travel guides. They’re some of the best travel guides out there, and the podcast episodes truly give them a run for their money.

Watch Travel Vlogs On Youtube

There are countless travel vloggers trying to make a living by doing the one thing they love most – traveling. You can support them and help them make their dreams come true by consuming their content and exploring the different countries of the world from the comfort of your own couch.

Finding a travel vlogger you like shouldn’t be too challenging, especially with so many different options out there. The key is to find a person you genuinely enjoy watching, otherwise, you won’t be able to focus on the travel destinations!

You can also find live camera streams on YouTube from countries all over the world. They usually include short snippets from various cameras, but it’s a great way to get a glimpse of distant landscapes and everyday life in foreign countries in just a few minutes. Plus, if you see a stream that you particularly like, you can always just find that specific live camera and refer to it whenever you want.

Enroll in A Travel-Related Course

If you still enjoy learning and you’ve particularly interested in travel, why not enroll in a travel-related course. Working on yourself and furthering your education is always a good thing, and you never know what opportunities may present themselves after you’ve completed the course.

I’m not saying enroll in a five-year college course about tourism, but you can take various online and offline courses on a myriad of topics relating to travel. The best way to get started is to get acquainted with all the different diplomas and certificates that are relevant to the tourism industry.

There are dozens of them, and there are many ways to earn them, from attending free online courses to enrolling in MBA degree programs.

Learn what it takes to become a travel agent, get a certificate that allows you to be a tour guide in your hometown, or complete a flight attendant training program. There are countless travel-related courses you can take, and you just need to see which ones interest you the most. This can also increase your chances of getting a job with one of the travel companies if that’s something you are interested in.

Additionally, you can also enroll in language-related courses. They usually include learning about the culture, literature, and history of the country whose language you’re learning, plus learning a new language is always a great idea.

Cook Your Favorite Dishes From Around The World

Exploring a new country means exploring its cuisine and getting to know all of its different flavors. So, if you’re feeling like traveling somewhere but you can’t actually go to that country, you can try to make it – or at least a tiny bit of it – in your own kitchen.

Turn to YouTube or one of a million different recipe websites, and find a dish you enjoy from the cuisine of the country you want to visit. Tacos will immediately fill the room with staple smells from South America, a good curry can never not remind you of India, and sushi is entirely self-explanatory.

So, if you can’t go on a trip right this minute but you’re desperate to at least feel like you’re traveling, just make your entire kitchen smell like a street full of food vendors from that country!

Watch TV Shows Related To Travel

Sometimes it’s enough for a show to be filmed at the right location for it to become extremely popular. Emily in Paris proved that – despite the fact that the show was criticized for a number of different things, it remained extremely popular and mostly because of the fact that it’s filmed in Paris.

People love to tune in to see Lily Collins strolling down the cobblestone alleys of Montmartre and enjoying croissants with a fabulous view of the Eiffel Tower, and I have to admit I’m also guilty of binging both seasons.

It doesn’t have to be a show about one specific city – there are countless travel shows that will satisfy your wanderlust for a moment, and many of them feature a different city or country in every episode. Put on some of Anthony Bourdain’s classics – No Reservations and Parts Unkown are still some of the best shows that combine food and travel!

The Grand Tour is another gem that covers remote destinations from around the world, and it’s particularly interesting for car lovers. But you don’t have to be into cars to appreciate the humor of Jeremy Clarkson, James May, and Richard Hammond, and you certainly don’t need to know anything about vehicles to admire the spectacular landscapes that are featured in the episodes of this humorous travel show.

Watch Travel Movies

If you don’t want to commit to an entire TV show, you can just put on a travel movie. Into The Wild is a textbook example of a travel movie, and probably the best-known film in the genre. But a travel movie can be almost anything, as long as it’s set in the place that you’re yearning to visit.

I get the urge to travel to Sicily whenever I watch Godfather, and I doubt anyone would consider that a travel movie. But the beautiful landscapes that Al Pacino escapes to are so fascinating that, for a moment, it’s entirely possible to forget you’re watching a movie about mobsters.

The entire Before Sunrise/Sunset/Midnight trilogy showcases the beauty of spectacular European cities – Vienna, Paris, and Greece, in that order. Mamma Mia also depicts the beauty of Croatian and Greek islands, and it’s a great film to put on if you’re dreaming about a beach vacation.

Wild, starring Reese Whitherspoon, follows an inexperienced hiker setting out on the Pacific Crest Trail. The entire movie was shot on location, so it features the actual highlights of the iconic US long-distance hiking trail.

Go On A Virtual Tour of World’s Famous Museums

Some of the most famous museums in the entire world offer free virtual tours, and you should take advantage of that. J Paul Getty Museum, London’s Natural History Museum, and Musée d’Orsay in Paris have all made their collections available for virtual exploration.

Head to Google Arts & Culture again to go through the collections of these museums. You can even browse the various digital collections they have by genre or time period, so finding a collection curated specifically for you is easier than ever.

Learn A New Language

Learning an entirely new language is the best form of armchair travel. Not only does it get you closer to the culture of a country you’re fascinated by, but it’s also a way of developing a new skill that you can use for the rest of your life.

Learning a new language isn’t exactly the easiest thing you can do to satisfy your wanderlust, but it’s certainly the most useful one. You’ll particularly be happy you took up that happy if you manage to travel to the country whose native language you’ve mastered!

Also, keep in mind that learning a new language usually includes learning about the history and culture of that country, as well as reading a few books written by the nation’s most prominent writers. So, you’re not just learning how to talk to locals on your next trip, but you’re also getting a complete guide to the most important landmarks and attractions of the country you choose!

Plan Your Next Trip

Do you already have a destination in mind for your next trip? Then why not start planning it right now. You don’t have to purchase airplane tickets if you’re not sure when you’ll be able to go, but it’s a good idea to start researching other details that will come in handy during your trip.

Look at hotels and AirBnBs to see where you would like to stay and be sure to check out all the top tourist attractions and things to do at the destination. You can even make little maps for any future trip, and you can refer to the map when you actually arrive at that destination.

If you often go on road trips, you already know just how much planning goes into them, if you want things to go smoothly. You can get a head start on your next trip right now – it will get you excited about the trip, plus you can plan out a good chunk of the road trip.

Reminisce About Your Past Trips

Nothing can transport you through time and place quite like a personal photograph. Blow the dust off your online albums and take the time to go through all the 2365 photos you took on that trip to Rio de Janeiro. It can’t be just me that takes a million photos wherever I’m in a new city, and it can’t just be me that never looks at them again.

Take the time to go through the old photos and choose your favorites. You can even print them out if you like and create a travel collage to hang on a wall. Or you can just turn them into a throwback post.

You can also use this opportunity to make room in your phone for photographs you’ll take on your upcoming trips. Delete any blurry shots, images you don’t like, or images that you have a dozen copies of, and create some space for the photographs of places you’re yet to visit!

Create A Travel Scrapbook

Now that we all have amazing cameras in our pockets, it seems like we’re always taking photos, but never taking the time to go through them. Do you remember going through your childhood albums, and how happy you’d be when you saw that one photo you have a great memory of? Or when you looked at images from your travels as a kid?

You can still do that now, even if you’re a full-blown adult. You can even create an album if you want, but a travel scrapbook is a bit more fun. Go through the photos of the last (or any) place you visited, and select the ones you like the most and you want to have in your travel scrapbook.

If you need some travel inspiration, why not dedicate a few pages to every destination you visited. Print out your favorite photos with your friends and family, but also of the landmarks you liked and any places that stood out. Put all the photos in the scrapbook, and be sure to write little captions beneath the photos.

If you do go through with this, two decades from now, when your travel memories start to fade, you’ll be thrilled every time you lay eyes on your little travel scrapbook.

Play A Travel-Themed (Board) Game

Why not try a travel-themed board game to satisfy your itch for a quick trip? Trekking The World is one of the best-selling board games out there, and it’s great for families and friend groups of up to five people. You play the game by racing to visit as many countries in the world as you can and you collect souvenirs along the way. It’s extremely fun, and a great way to learn about some of the most popular destinations in the world.

The World Game is a travel-themed card game for up to five players. It tests your knowledge of geography by asking you to name the capitals of countries, point them out on a map, or guess their flag. It’s a fun card game, but only if you’re into geography.

It’s worth noting that board games aren’t the only types of games you can play that are related to travel. If you’re into gaming, you’ve got even more options when it comes to armchair travel! Many recent AAA games are set in existing cities, and most of those open worlds are incredibly detailed and pretty true to life.

Not all the details will be identical, but it’s important to point out that the reconstruction of Notre Dame will be done with the help of Ubisoft’s drawings that they used to recreate the iconic church in their Assassin’s Creed Unity game.

You can walk through the streets of London, New York, San Francisco, Paris, Tokyo, and many other cities if you’ve got a computer that can run newer AAA games. If not, just try Geouesser – the online game is one of the best things for armchair travel, especially if you want to explore places off the beaten path.

Socialize With Fellow Travel Enthusiasts on Social Media

If all else fails, turn to social media. Go on Reddit, Instagram, or even Facebook and find a group of like-minded travel enthusiasts with whom you can share travel stories and photos. This is also a great way to meet new people and make friends, and you could potentially travel with those people sometime.

But it’s a way of armchair traveling that only extroverts will consider, so it’s definitely not for everyone. You could be one of those people that lurk around the groups and forums, taking in all the stories and images, but not sharing anything with strangers.

About the Author Anna Timbrook

Anna is the co-owner of expert world travel and can't wait to share her travel experience with the world. With over 54 countries under her belt she has a lot to write about! Including those insane encounters with black bears in Canada.

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Happy to Wander

Mastering Armchair Travel: 10 Ways to Enjoy Travel from Home

Last Updated: April 1, 2021

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armchair travel china

In a time when the farthest I travel is literally from my desk to my fridge, antsy has become my middle name. And as a travel blogger unable to travel, I suppose you can say I’ve kinda been fired. From a job where I’m the boss.

Despite this setback however, I have discovered the wonders of armchair travel, and wow – what a world.

You heard me – armchair travel, as in the art of vicarious travel from the comfort of your armchair, bed, bean bag, or hey, even the toilet (I’m not here to judge).

And I mean sure, armchair travel may not command the same glittery glamour as necking aperitivo in Milan or gliding through Switzerland by train , but it’s travel you can do in your underwear AND nobody will even call the cops. 

So, if you’re feeling weary from gazing blankly out the window or simply want to read something that will distract you from the bleary news ticker, here’s a guide to the wonderful world of armchair travel, with 10 (actually satisfying) ways to enjoy travel from home. 

Editor’s note : the following methods will feel more like real travel if you are also cradling an infant-sized margarita. My jokes may also seem funnier. Carry on.

armchair travel china

Save this guide to armchair travel for later!

You’ll be very glad you did.

1. Binge travel blogs & videos

Let’s begin this post with a Christina signature move, shall we? Pure desperation.

Please, if you find yourself in need of some mindless entertainment while weathering this dystopian storm, try to support independent creatives as much as you can.

Reading blogs (if you’re here right now, wow you’re super ahead) and watching YouTube videos is an incredible free way to help keep your favourite creatives’ businesses afloat.

So yes, allow me to quickly hurl my YouTube channel at you real quick. Catch!

It’s a tough time for businesses and individuals all around the world, but freelancers and small business owners are especially feeling the pinch (particularly in the travel industry), SO if you crave something to fill your boredom gaps, please consider supporting the many bloggers, vloggers and creatives in your life.

We need you more than ever! And we’re free. SO FREE. * relentless sobbing *

armchair travel china

2. Snoop around on virtual museums and apps

For my fellow museum lovers, there’s an easy way for you to get your fix while nestled in the arms of your own comfy bed.

Many of the most famous museums in the world actually have virtual tours that you can do, including the Louvre, the MET, the British Museum, and more. Click here for a huge list I put together.

To get your culture fix, I can highly recommend the Google Arts and Culture website and app . It’s filled with interesting articles about art, culture, and history intrigue.

PLUS it has the most incredible feature called “Art Selfie” where you snap a selfie and they compare it to their archives to find your fine art doppelgänger. See below for the fair maiden I supposedly resemble.

Download for iOS | Download for Android

armchair travel china

3. Find the hidden gems of the world with Secret Door

So this is a really clunky website that screams early 2000s, but I am still mildly obsessed with it.

Long story short, Secret Door is a site where you open a virtual door and it randomly brings you to a hidden gem of the world via Google Street View. Imagine Chat Roulette (throwbackkk!) but for quirky places around the world. Much like a girls’ outing involving tequila, you never know where you’ll end up.

For example, one visit brought me to an eerie art museum in Spain, another brought me to a colourful Willy Wonka inspired candy shop, and my last visit dropped me off RIGHT on the train tracks of the Bernina Express !!

NOTE: I find that the site can be a little glitchy, so I usually have to reload it each time I want to re-open the door, otherwise it won’t work properly… but still, give it a try here ! It’s cool.

4. Explore a random place on Earth with MapCrunch

In a similar vein, there’s another website called MapCrunch that ALSO drops you off in a random Google Streetview location, except it doesn’t necessarily focus on unique/hidden gems… it literally drops you off anywhere.

You might be thinking “why would I want that, Christina? Why?”

WELL, besides getting to catch a glimpse of daily life somewhere completely random in the world, this site was actually the source of a viral internet game of the early 2010s… basically, if (on desktop) you navigate to the MapCrunch Options tab, you can check a box on the bottom the says “Stealth” which will drop you off in a random Streetview location without telling you where you are…

The objective of the game is to pretend you woke up in this random location and somehow navigate your way “home” by finding the closest airport. Tough right? Can you imagine? A great game to play with friends if you want to race. Might be more fun if you’re mildly drunk, but what in life isn’t?

5. Spy on worldwide webcams 

Okay, this fact might either be really cool or really creepy depending on your persuasion, but did you know the world is covered with cameras that stream everything live to webcams 24/7?

(Alright, I admit it does sound a little creepy when I put it that way)

Nonetheless, checking out these webcams is prime armchair travel material. Sites like EarthCam have live HD webcams from all over the world, so you can quickly check in on Times Square  or the balmy waves of the Maldives all while eating guacamole by the fistful in your other hand. In fact, I’m writing this article while watching sunset at the Eiffel Tower! (I will save my guac for later.)

NOTE: While not live, if you get tired of staring at webcam footage, you can also go for an HD view of the world by checking out Full Screen 360 where there is plenty of 360 degree eye candy from interesting places around the world, from beautiful Cinque Terre to even my beloved Munich!

6. Stream some wanderlusty movies or TV shows

In the world of streaming, Netflix is of course king, but if you want to expand your horizons (or take advantage of something free!), you can register for a free one month trial of Amazon Prime Video and binge their huge library of free content (or otherwise rummage through their very extensive paid offerings).

In terms of recommendations, I have a list of great travel movies to watch here.

Show-wise, here are some quick recommendations:

  • Departures – One of my favourite all-time travel shows. It’s about 2 Canadian guys that hit the road and travel the world through personal connections/friendships, so you get a good mix of tourist sights and local secrets/know-how. It’s a little dated now (originally recorded in 2008), but guess what? These legends have put a lot of full episodes on YOUTUBE for FREE! Check them out here.
  • An Idiot Abroad – A hilarious and mildly offensive show that’s great if you want something a little different than your standard travel programme. It’s a documentary series that follows Karl Pilkington, a guy with zero interest in travel and global cultures…. being forced to travel by his friends Stephen Merchant and Ricky Gervais. If you like Ricky Gervais humour, this is a must-watch. Watch it here.
  • Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown – Like many travel enthusiasts, I adore everything from Anthony Bourdain, but there’s just something about Parts Unknown with its incredible visuals and storytelling that makes it my favourite. Watch it here.

7. Cook up global inspired dishes

If you often find yourself traveling for food, sending your tastebuds on their own lil voyage might be the most delicious form of armchair travel you can enjoy right now… all the better if you’re learning to make it yourself (because then your gluttony can be disguised as self-actualization.

Trust me, I’ve been doing it for years).

Where can you get free ideas and tutorials for recipes?

Honestly, YouTube is such a wealth of information these days that I can guarantee you’ll find a video teaching you to cook any foreign dish of your choosing!

If you’re feeling especially fancy though, you can also purchase online cooking classes! This is an amazing way to support local businesses who might be suffering otherwise due to the dip in tourism.

armchair travel china

8. Enjoy a country-inspired night in

Combining points 6 and 7, for extra dorkiness points, consider hosting a country themed night-in. Simply pick a special film that’s focused on a destination and cook a meal (or order one in if you feel like it) related to that destination.

You can even have a watch party with friends on Skype (or do a group viewing on Netflix Party ) and all tackle the same recipe together before/after.

Some ideas for your country inspired soirée:

  • Watch Parasite and make ramdon – not the most wanderlusty combo but this is the best movie I’ve seen in years so I have to recommend it
  • Watch Amélie and have roast chicken + creme brûlée – you’ll see why if you watch the movie. Bonus if you buy some fresh raspberries to eat from your fingers
  • Watch Eat Pray Love and Pizza Napolitana or Spaghetti all’Amatriciana – truthfully, the spaghetti will probably be easier to make from home…
  • Watch Crazy Rich Asians and dumplings or Hokkien Fried Mee – in addition to wanderlust, a bonus side effect of this movie is it will make you feel incredibly poor and alone

9. Cozy up with a good travel book

At a time when we’re constantly bombarded with one distressing headline after the next, boyyy does it feel good to curl up with a nice book far away from the horror-show that is social media.

So, treat yourself to some wanderlusty reads! Blogs are great, but there’s something unbeatably satisfying about holding a book.

Now, while I prepare myself for excommunication from the League of Extraordinary Bloggers for saying that, let me think of some recommendations… 

I’ll be very honest, I haven’t read a ton of travel memoirs, but one hilarious classic I can wholeheartedly recommend if you’re looking for a good laugh is What I was Doing While You Were Breeding. Otherwise, if you want something more conventionally travelly (but a tad cliché), I did also enjoy Eat Pray Love. Please let me know in the comments if you have any travel memoirs that you would highly recommend!

Otherwise, if you’re looking for some non-travel related reads, I’ve been really into memories from awesome female comedians lately, and both Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? and Bossypants are great.

NOTE: If you don’t mind reading off a Kindle, you can click here for a free month of Kindle unlimited… all you can read!

10. Try actual virtual reality

Lastly, despite being a millennial who works on the Internet, I am shockingly out of touch with technology and how far it has come. Did you know for instance that virtual reality travel is a thing now?

Like, not just in testing phases, not just a clunky pixellated prototype, you can literally just buy an entry-level headset online that uses your phone?

… I only discovered this while researching armchair travel options for this article, and I have to say this one might just take the cake.

There are all sorts of apps that you can download on your phone (both free and paid) that allow you to enjoy really cool virtual reality travel experiences all around the world.

Better yet, there are full-blown YouTube videos now that can be watched in VR mode, which is how I spent my lockdown Spring in Europe taking a taxi ride through New York City, enjoying an overwater villa in the Maldives and even gliding through space , all of which I just did in my pyjamas in Munich.

If you’re interested in this, I got this set for really cheap and it works great!

armchair travel china

Any more ideas for armchair travel?

I’m all ears! I hope you enjoyed this read… and safe travels (from the couch).

My Go-To Travel Favourites:

🧳 Eagle Creek: My favourite packing cubes

💳 Wise: For FREE travel friendly credit cards

🍯 Airalo: My go-to eSIM

🏨 Booking.com: For searching hotels

📷 Sony A7IV: My (amazing) camera

✈️ Google Flights : For finding flight deals

🌎 WorldNomads: For travel insurance

🎉 GetYourGuide: For booking activities

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Come Join My Journey

Ultimate Armchair Travel Guide: Experiencing Travel at Home

April 3, 2020

comejoinmyjourney

There is nothing like traipsing the globe; hopping from Milan to NYC to Sao Paulo in mere minutes. No, I’m not talking about teleporting. I’m talking about armchair travel. I have been armchair traveling for years and I didn’t even know it. If you are a travel addict like me, chances are you have been armchair traveling too. We just didn’t know there was a name for it. No need to pack your bags for this trip. We are delving deep into how you can experience travel without leaving your home.

Globe

Table of Contents

Armchair Travel Meaning

At this point, you may be wondering what exacting is the meaning of armchair travel? Armchair traveling is experiencing a destination without actually traveling there. This can be done through various virtual travel experiences such as virtual reality , travel books, and movies.

Why Should You Consider Armchair Traveling?

There doesn’t necessarily need to be a choice between actual travel and armchair traveling. If you have the opportunity and are able to travel, by all means, go see the world! But oftentimes, we can’t travel as much as we would like, whether it is for financial issues, time off or a global pandemic. These restrictions don’t mean that you shouldn’t be able to experience travel. If you love to travel, you should be able to experience it as much as you would like.

Personally, I wish to be engrossed in travel 365 days a year. But realistically, I can’t actually be traveling that frequently. So, I turned to armchair travel. I spend time learning about different countries and cultures. I virtually tour cities and tourist destinations. And I am always gathering inspiration for my next trip, knowing full well that there is no possible way I could travel to the thousands of destinations I have virtually experienced. But it’s nice to dream and to learn about other destinations.

Armchair travel is also a great way to plan for future trips. Before visiting a destination, I like to learn as much about it as I can. I delve through the internet searching for blog posts and videos about the destination. I create virtual “vision boards” on Instagram of photo spots I want to see. And I always make sure to pick up my favorite travel guide. This helps me feel prepared and fully knowledgeable about the destination, so I can truly appreciate everything I am seeing.

Interested in travel at home? Check out this guide to the perfect staycation!

Ways to Travel From Home – Armchair Travel

Travel blogs and guides, guide books.

A tried and true way to experience travel from home is by reading travel blogs and guides. One of the most exciting parts about travel (aside from actually being in the destination) is the planning phase. I love planning trips. Scouring through travel guides and blogs builds up the anticipation for visiting a destination. Reading travel guides typically helps outline the best places to see in a destination.

But you don’t have to be going on a trip to enjoy reading about a destination. If you’re like me, you may already have a shelf of travel guides at home. I have a collection of Eyewitness travel guides for destinations I’ve never visited and regions I love. But there is something about reading these guides that fuels me with so much wanderlust. If you don’t already have a collection of guide books, pick one up for a destination you’re curious about. Maybe it will inspire you to visit one day or fill you with more knowledge about the destination.

One of my favorite things to do when I’m not traveling is to grab a handful of books from the travel section at Barnes and Noble and compare the different guide books. Be sure to grab a coffee and allow yourself to get lost in the pages.

Travel Blogs

I may be biased, but I love researching travel online. There are so many resources and incredible travel blogs. If there is a particular destination you’re interested in, simply enter your query into Google and you will find endless blog posts about the destination. Or check out the destinations your favorite blogger has written about and use that as the base for your armchair travel destination. (Pssst check out the destinations I’ve written about for armchair traveling)!

If you’re looking for armchair travel on a particular country or destination, there are plenty of blogs with a focus on specific places. For instance, you can find ample inspiration about Chile on Gringa Journeys and tons of posts about Madrid from Lauren on Location .

Armchair Travel

Youtube Videos

Youtube is a great source for experiencing travel at home. When I want to know what a place is really like, I head to Youtube. While reading about destinations is a great source of information (for us who like to be very informed), Youtube is on another level for experiencing travel at home. Seeing a destination through video allows you to sit back and enjoy the experience. The best part is, watching Youtube is completely free. Simply enter the destination in the Youtube search tab that you wish to virtually escape. There are various videos to watch from uncut clips that allow you to get a true glimpse of the destination, beautiful inspiration type of videos and entertaining travel vlogs. Some of these videos are on par with travel shows and documentaries on major networks.

After being so inspired by armchair traveling with my favorite Youtube videos, I decided to start a travel vlog. Check out my Youtube channel here! I will be adding tons of travel videos and armchair travel ideas.

If you are looking for some Youtube travel channels to get started with, check out some of my favorites. These are the channels I find myself looking forward to watching their new videos because they allow me to virtually experience the destination.

Check out these channels:

Sandy Makes Sense: Sandy is a bubbly host, who’s videos always leave me smiling. While she doesn’t always travel with friends, her videos make you feel like you’re experiencing the ultimate girlfriends getaway.

Happy to Wander: The host of this channel is a hilarious Canadian expat living in Europe. The videos on this channel are more travel guides than vlogs yet she manages to do so in an entertaining yet informative way.

De Ja Shu: The videos on Shu’s Channel are cinematically beautiful and she is a very charming host. Be prepared, after watching her videos you will leave hungry as she is quite the foodie.

The Life of Jord: Jordan’s videos will bring you to far-flung destinations you may never have considered visiting (perfect for armchair traveling)! His videos will leave you curious about places you’ve never heard of before.

Backpacking Bananas: The host of this channel, Christianne, is high energy and relatable. Her videos mostly focus on her backpacking trips around the world. Great for entertaining videos to fuel your wanderlust from home.

Come Join My Journey: If you haven’t checked it out already, I actually have a travel vlog that I started recently to further share my travels!

A unique and amazing way to enjoy armchair traveling is via webcams. There are webcams all over the world, where you can watch a live stream of a destination. When it comes to truly experiencing a destination via armchair travel, they are a game-changer! These webcams allow you to get a glimpse of what is really happening at that very moment in the destination. Webcams verge on feeling like you’re spying, but they are typically scenic webcams so you’re not getting an up-close showing the people walking around.

Search Webcams

It’s astonishing how many webcams you can watch online. If there is a specific location you wish to visit during your armchair travels, simply search “Destination webcam” and plenty of options will come up. (PS never do anything you wouldn’t want someone to see when you’re traveling because evidently there are webcams everywhere!)

Not sure where you want to go? Browse through some of the top webcams on these websites:

Skyline Webcams

Destination Specific Webcams

There are plenty of destination-specific webcams. After a trip to Ocean City, Maryland, we revised the ocean and pier at home with their various webcams . While we couldn’t feel the sand or the salty air, viewing those live cameras from our couch felt like those we were there for just a moment.

Wildlife Webcams

If you’re an animal lover, some of the best aquariums, zoos and wildlife conservatories even have their own webcams that you can watch. There is nothing quite like being immersed in watching animals to feel as though you are no longer sitting at home.

Google Earth & Street View

One of my all-time favorite forms of armchair travel is browsing Google Street View. I have been pretty obsessed with Google Street View since the introduction of Google Earth . (Yes, I have always been travel obsessed). Google Street View on Google Earth is one of the best ways to get a visual of a destination. You are able to click and virtually “walk-around” the destination, getting 360 degrees of streets and squares in the world. To use Google Street View, simply drop your icon on one of the blue lines in the destination you are searching on Google Earth.

Additionally, there are little blue dots that you can drop your icon on. These are photospheres, which will show you 360-degree snapshots from around a destination. These are especially useful when you are searching for a particular tourist spot that may not be on a street.

Google Earth even pulls an excerpt from Wikipedia for each destination you search for. This helps to learn a bit about the destination as you are getting virtually lost in its streets.

If you’re not sure where you want to virtually explore, there is a “Feeling Lucky” feature on Google Earth, which pulls up a random location on the map for you to check out. I’ve noticed that this feature tends to pull up locations I have never heard of, many of which don’t actually have street view information. But that just means you’re “traveling” to a place that many people don’t go to. Take the opportunity to research this destination and try to pull up videos and blog posts.

Secret Door

Similar to the “Feeling Lucky” feature of Google Earth, there is this very cheesy and amazing website called Secret Door . This website is slightly more satisfying than the “Feeling Lucky” feature on Google Earth because it brings you directly to a random spot on Google Street View.

The website is a little slow, however, it is so worth the wait! Each click through the door brings you to a unique spot on Google Street View. On one click I was inside of the White House and on the next, I was in Shackleton’s Hut in Antarctica. It is so fun to try and guess where you ended up!

Virtually Visit Museums

If you are a museum buff when you travel, there is the perfect app for visiting museums worldwide from the comfort of your home. Via the Google Arts and Culture app , you can visit over 2000 museums across the world. I have spent more hours than I care to admit on this app. For someone who doesn’t typically have a long attention span for museums, this app has been a game-changer for me. Each museum on the Google Arts and Culture app has online exhibits. These online exhibits give a background of what the exhibits are about as well as various photos showcasing the collection. These exhibits provide the perfect amount of information, they are informative yet not overwhelming.

To start off your armchair travels at the museum, I would suggest picking a city to start exploring and prepare yourself for a long day at the museums. Spend time reading about the exhibits, walking around the museums with street view and even virtually hanging art on your walls at home. Yes, you can virtually hang masterpieces on your walls! It’s fun, a bit cheesy and a great way to see the art up close. If you have a Google Cardboard or other VR headset, you can even take virtual tours of museums and cultural sites on Google Arts and Culture.

Virtual Reality

Getting a Virtual Reality Headsets

Virtual Reality is by far one of the most realistic and immersive ways to experience armchair travel. All you need is a virtual reality headset. The best part is, you don’t have to spend an arm and a leg for a VR headset. You can get an entry-level VR headset for a reasonable price. I went with the Google Cardboard model as I didn’t want to overly invest in a headset. However, the actual Google Cardboard model was sold out. So I opted for this model . And it really works! I bought a virtual reality headset for under $8 and it works so well! Honestly, if you are using virtual reality for the first time, all you need is a cardboard model to start out.

If you have children or are planning to use virtual reality often, I would consider investing in something more durable. If you prefer a more durable model, consider getting an entry-level model such as this one by BNEXT.

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Virtual reality videos.

There are countless virtual reality videos and still images you can find online for free. After scouring the internet and apps, I have discovered endless places to visit in VR. With new virtual content being added daily, you will have no shortage of adventures during your armchair travels. Throw on your cardboard VR viewer and headphones and get ready for an adventure of a lifetime…from your couch.

Some of my favorite apps for travel virtual reality are the Google’s Arts and Cultures app, where you can virtually tour museums and cultural sites around the world and the Google Expedition app, where there are over 900 expeditions to choose from, including national parks and palaces.

A fantastic source of virtual reality videos is Youtube. Youtube has tons of high-quality virtual reality videos that are readily available. In order to use your VR headsets with Youtube videos, make sure you have the Youtube app downloaded and click on the “VR headset icon” on the corner of a virtual reality video. Some of my favorite channels for virtual reality travel videos include National Geographic and VR Gorilla . If you are looking for a particular destination, search for “destination virtual reality” on Youtube.

Travel Books

One of my favorite genres of books to read is travel books. These books tend to suck me into the destination the book is based on and fuel me with so much wanderlust. I find myself inspired by the author’s story and travels. A good travel writer will make you feel like you have stepped into the destination they are describing.

I love a good travel memoir! Some of my favorites are classics such as “Eat, Pray, Love” and “Wild” . The newest memoir on my virtual travel bookshelf is “Around the World in 80 Trains” . I use an e-reader for when I travel, so I’m not lugging around tons of books. You can also virtually check books out of your local libraries to use on your e-readers with the apps Overdrive and Libby.

There is nothing quite like having a good coffee table book. I have a few travel coffee table books that I often flick through for travel inspiration. One of my all-time favorites is “1000 Places to See Before you Die” , which is full of classic bucket-list destinations across the world. If you’re looking for a beautiful and inspiring hardcover coffee table book, add “Dame Traveler: Live the Spirit of Adventure” to your collection. This book is full of gorgeous photos and tips from female travelers. (PS I’m featured in the Dame Traveler book! I may be biased, but this is a great book!)

Travel Books - Armchair Travel

Subscribe to Travel Magazines

Similar to travel books, but the destinations you are visiting are a total surprise each month. There is something so special about holding a glossy travel magazine in your hands and flipping through the pages to discover a new destination the writers have covered each month. Travel magazines tend to be the beginning of my armchair travel binging. After reading a short article about a destination in one of my favorite magazines, Travel and Leisure or CN Traveler , I find myself scouring the internet to learn everything possible about the destination.  One of the best parts of travel magazines is that the stories are typically accompanied by beautiful imagery from the destination.

Travel Magazines

Travel Movies and TV Shows

One of my first inspirations for travel was watching movies travel TV shows. I lived for the Travel Channel growing up, watching my favorite series by Anthony Bourdain and Samantha Brown. Each episode of these shows brought a new destination with entertaining hosts. Now there are various travel shows on networks, streaming services and online. Some of my favorite travel shows include:

Check out the best travel movies here!

Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown:  Who doesn’t love Anthony Bourdain? I have seen perhaps every one of his travel series, my favorite being “Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown”. You can stream this on Amazon, or you can watch “Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations” on Hulu!

Samantha Brown’s Places to Love: Samantha Brown is adorable and lively and showcases highlights of a destination from places to see to history. You watch all the episodes of Places to Love on PBS!

Get Lost in Travel Photos on Instagram

My Instagram feed is flooded with inspirational travel accounts. These accounts allow me to experience a destination through someone’s perspective.  I love following people who travel frequently or live somewhere interesting. Instagram is an especially great place to do this because it feels more personal and in the moment than other media. While Instagram feeds can still be quite curated, I love seeing how Instagrammers showcase a destination.

One of my favorite features of Instagram is Instagram Stories. It is interesting to see the more candid moments these travelers share on Instagram Stories, which often go along with the photos they are sharing on their feeds. After following some travel accounts for years, it feels as though I truly know the person and I’m excited to see where they go next.  I use my Instagram @comejoinmyjourney_ to document my travels, sharing curated travel photos with captions talking about my experience or thoughts about a destination. My IG stories tend to be more behind the scenes documentation of my travels.

There are so many talented photographers and Instagrammers on Instagram, that scrolling through your feed can feel like you are looking at a beautiful gallery of travel photos. Be sure to follow specific accounts of individuals whose travels inspire you as well as some feature accounts. Feature accounts allow you to discover new destinations and accounts daily. Some of my all-time favorite feature accounts include  @dametraveler , feature female travelers and @italy.vacations , which showcases different destinations in Italy.

            View this post on Instagram                         A post shared by Anna ✈️ Travel Blogger (@comejoinmyjourney_) on Nov 6, 2019 at 9:40am PST

Create a Vision Board on Pinterest

Pinterest is such a great way to find travel inspiration and to organize it. Pinterest is a great took to use for armchair travel. Think of Pinterest as a visual search engine. So it makes searching for travel information fun! After searching for a destination on Pinterest, you will find tons of beautiful photos and blog posts. I love using Pinterest because it is so visual. If you are drawn to the image, you can click on it to be redirected to a blog post or webpage to find out more information.

When I am browsing Pinterest, either for research for upcoming trips or travel inspiration, I organize these pins into destination boards. These destination boards serve as a vision board for the specific city, region or country. Once I save and organize these pins, I can go back and read all the posts I saved or look back at the photos for inspiration.

Cook Regional Dishes

If you are a foodie, a huge part of travel is trying different dishes from around the world. Trying local dishes allows you to further experience a destination. Yet, just because you can’t travel does not mean you can’t try food from around the world. Pick up a cookbook from a particular destination or look up your favorite dish you’ve had abroad and get cooking. While it may not be authentically made, trying food from different places that you don’t typically eat is a great way to experience armchair travel.

Not only is cooking different types of dishes a great way to escape your everyday routine, but it also helps you appreciate those local delicacies. Here are some great cookbooks to try:

“Made in Mexico” by Danny Mena: For those who love Mexican food!

“Vietnamese Food Any Day” by Andrea Nguyen: For delicious Vietnamese dishes!

“Everyday Italian: 125 Simple and Delicious Recipes” by Giada De Laurentiis: Because everyone needs Italian food in their lives!

Mexican Food

Research History

While I have always enjoyed history, travel fueled my love for it. Visiting a destination that you have learned about makes it feel so much more real. I tend to find myself in a research frenzy about the historical significance of a place that I visit. Learning about the history of a destination makes me feel like I have a great understanding of it. Learning about history is such a great way to enjoy armchair travel.

There are various ways to learn about the history of a travel destination you are visiting. Many travel shows and blogs have a historical element. You can go on a Wikipedia binge about the destination you are visiting from home. Or you can pick up a history book about the destination you are visiting.

Practice Language Skills

Language is such a beautiful part of travel. I yearn for foreign tongues; languages and words that I have never heard before. There is something so rewarding about learning a new language, even if it is just bits and pieces of it. Before I visit a destination, I am sure to learn a few key phrases and words of the language spoken in the destination. And I feel so rewarded when I start picking up on the language while traveling.

Just because you are at home, does not mean you can’t learn language skills. Spend some time practicing your language skills with phrasebooks and language apps. Duolingo is a great app to use to learn a language for free! I use this app before traveling and when I’m at home. There are various languages you can learn on Duolingo. However, if you truly want to learn a new language , you may want to consider investing in Rosetta Stone .

If there is a language that you already know or enjoy listening to, put on a movie or tv show in that language. Even if it is just background noise, you will feel like you are in that destination.

Have a Destination Theme Night

Now that you have tons of ideas for different ways to enjoy armchair travel, you can bring them all together to have a destination theme night. This is one of my favorite ways to delve into travel at home. This allows you to truly immerse yourself in the destination. After picking a destination, do as many things as you can from this list of ideas for traveling from home. Do some research on the destination you want to virtually travel to, just as you would do for an actual trip. Then delve into the destination, making your favorite dish from the destination and enjoying an evening of watching Youtube videos and movies about the destination or enjoying a good travel book.

Some Travel Theme Night Ideas:

Paris Theme Night: Grab a glass of wine and a cheese tray and tune into “Midnight in Paris”. If you have a beret , throw it on to feel like you are in the City of Lights.

Las Vegas Theme Night: If you have a poker set , have a poker night. Start drinking whatever and whenever you want (because it’s Vegas, right?) and finish the night watching “The Hangover”.

Singapore Theme Night: Get a Singapore street food cookbook and create some delicious dishes. Then throw on your most extravagant outfit and watch “Crazy Rich Asians” .

Travel Photos

Who better to live vicariously through than yourself. Yeah, you! Chances are you have been on some pretty fabulous trips before. So, if you are unable to travel at the moment, might as well take this time to relive your past trips. I love having a chance to go through my old travel photos. This gives me a chance to remember the moment I took the photo and share the stories about my past trips with others. A few ways you can experience armchair travel through old travel photos include:

Show the photos to family/friends: Tell them all about your experiences.

Post your travel photos on social media: Now is a great time to make that inspirational travel account on Instagram!

Create a scrapbook: Making scrapbooks is a great way to showcase your travel photos and mementos in one place.

Poland Travel Guide

Write a Travel Bucket List

While armchair travel alleviates my need to travel right now, it still leaves me wanting to visit the destinations I have virtually traveled to. I have a mental list of places I want to visit that is constantly growing. A great way to continue dreaming about these destinations is to create a travel bucket list. While you may be stuck at home right now, there is no reason you can’t dream of visiting these places one day. By writing these destinations down on an organized travel bucket list or even pinpointing places you want to go on Google Maps, you may be able to plan a trip when you can travel.

1 thought on “Ultimate Armchair Travel Guide: Experiencing Travel at Home”

This is such an amazingly in-depth guide!! Proof that it’s not the end of the world that we can’t travel right now 😉 I’ll be using some of your ideas- thanks!!

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Top 10 Armchair Travel Movies from Mother-Daughter Film Buffs

by JourneyWoman Staff | Aug 9, 2020

Still from The Farewell, China

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Last updated on April 30th, 2022

Feature Image: Still of the cast of the Chinese film, The Farewell

Quenching your Wanderlust: Top Picks From a Mother-Daughter Duo 

By Doni and Franny Belau, Guest Writers

Even if you can’t travel, you can still -get away- and lord knows we need to escape a little or a lot these days.

I live in a movie-obsessed family. I did some time in the film biz, my sister was an actress, brother-in-law a director and my niece worked on TV Commercials. My daughter is following in the family footsteps working at A24, an independent film company, who has won numerous academy awards including Best Picture for the film Moonlight . She has the job of selling their unique films all over the globe which means trips to the Cannes Film Festival, Berlin, Toronto etc….except NOT this year. Needless to say, it’s been a weird year.

As I am the founder of a travel company, so we are also a serious travel obsessed family as well. My kids were brought up travelling and have been to every continent except the Antarctic. The adventure and excitement of travel is basically the polar opposite of watching a movie, whether at home or in the cinema. The former takes planning, some risk-taking and is filled with excitement and adventure. The latter can be done last minute, requires no risk at all but still can contain some short-term adventure.

After all the days we’ve spent inside this year, I do hope you’re getting out and going to the beach (safely of course), hiking, boating, biking or anything else you can out-of-doors. But as the summer winds down and you still don’t have a real trip planned or an exciting adventure in store why not retreat to your living room and throw a movie up that quenches your wanderlust. My daughter came up with this list, now that she’s our official resident film expert but the comments are all mine. (Disclaimer: an asterisk (*) indicates films made by A24.)  

Still from the movie Call Me By Your Name (Italy)

Stills of the interiors of locations from the movie  Call Me By Your Name  (Italy)

1. Call Me By Your Name (Italy)

A near-perfect film about love and coming of age set in the idyllic Italian countryside in a villa you’ll lust to either rent or buy. James Ivory won an Academy Award for the adapted screenplay. Acting by Timothée Chalamet is crushingly exceptional. The scene with his father towards the end is one of the most poignant scenes in recent cinema memory.

Still from the French film Amelie

A still of French actress Audrey Tautou in Amélie , one of the highest-grossing French films (outside of France) of all time.

2. Amélie (France)

A quirky adventure in Montmartre’s Paris and a quest for love led by the adorable and incomparable Audrey Tautou. You’ll fall in love with Paris all over again and will surely book a ticket to the city of lights shortly thereafter. This is one of the highest-grossing French films (outside of France) of all time. We re-watched it recently during the April lockdown and it absolutely holds up, leaving you warm and fuzzy all over.

Still from the Chinese film The Farewell

The cast of the Chinese film,  The Farewell , an impeccable dark comedy that will win your heart. 

3. The Farewell* (China)

This film, produced by A24, tells the real-life story of a Chinese girl raised in the US who must go back to China because her grandmother is dying. The family agrees to lie to her about her health status and instead creates a phony reason for the trip so they can all be together one last time. What lies ahead is an escapade that is both hysterically funny as well as touching. Be sure to have your closest Chinese restaurant on speed dial after watching this one!

4. Lost in Translation  (Japan)

My personal all-time favourite feature film by Sophia Coppola, this movie accurately describes the sensation of disconnection you sometimes experience while in a foreign country. It’s a subtle topic that few movies have ever addressed. Acting by Bill Murray and Scarlett Johansson is nothing short of stunning. Their connection reaches beyond the screen and is set amidst the backdrop of crowded, fast-paced Tokyo. The movie made the then17-year-old a star.

Movie still from the Grand Budapest Hotel

The title scene from director Wes Anderson’s quirky classic , Grand Budapest Hotel

5. Grand Budapest Hotel  (Fictional Eastern European country)

This pastel cake-coloured movie is an escape into Director Wes Anderson’s quirky stylized world. You’ll find yourself wanting to move into the fantastical pink-washed hotel set in an unknown part of Europe between WWI and II. Ray Fiennes plays the hotel’s concierge leading an all-star cast. The BBC chose it as one of the best films of the 21st century.

6. Eat Drink Man Woman (Taiwan)

Perhaps the best food cinematography you’ll ever see in a movie – this is a story of a father/chef and his three daughters and the events that are about to upend their lives. A father’s love is served up as an elaborate Taiwanese meal created with care and served to unimpressed daughters. Dating back to the 1990s this film still stands up due to its timeless topic and stunning filmmaking by the master, Ang Lee.

Still from Mexican movie Roma

A black and white still from the Mexican film,  Roma

7. Roma (Mexico)

A beautiful and poetic love letter from Mexico City-born from the memories of director Alfonso Cuarón. It’s slow and sublime and beautifully addresses the inequity of the class structure experienced globally. A real cinematic triumph, the film won him a second Academy Award for Best Director.

8. Jiro Dreams Of Sushi  (Japan)

We Belau’s are gigantic sushi lovers. This film is candy for any serious or part-time foodie. The documentary takes a behind the scenes look into the obsessive quality that great chefs seem to need in order to create meals that are once-in-a-lifetime experiences. But even as that obsession turns up the worlds’ best sushi, it has a dark side as well.

9. Wild  (Pacific Crest Trail, USA)

Reese Witherspoon plays the recently divorced Cheryl Strayed who walked 1100 miles on the Pacific Crest Trail in an effort to try recover from her life’s wounds. It’s a humorous and heart-rending look into what solo-travel can actually do for you.

10. Sideways  (California)

The much-loved wine-infused buddy-movie trek down the coast of California introduced the hysterically funny Paul Giamatti to a wider audience. This movie was so popular that Paul’s line “No, if anyone orders merlot, I’m leaving. I am NOT drinking any f****** merlot!” depressed the merlot market in California for a number of years.

Other Honorable (and Not So Honourable) Mentions 

Still from the film Midsommar

A deceptively bright still from the Swedish horror, Midsommar

Vicky Cristina Barcelona (Spain) A perfect movie, but we’re still mad at Woody Allen for obvious reasons. 

Motorcycle Diaries (South America) The quintessential road trip movie that profiles Che Guevara’s life. It’s worth your time simply to swoon over Gael García Bernal, who is not only beautiful but is also a legitimately gifted actor. 

Midsommar* (Sweden)   This A24 horror film will take you on a disturbing trip to Northern Sweden where a summer festival is not quite as charming as it might seem. 

Ghandi (India) Its time to re-watch this epic classic about the life of the quiet revolutionary who freed India. After having visited his final home in Delhi a few years back, re-watching the film made this man’s great work and the country come alive for me again. 

* Indicates films made by A24.

Doni Belau sits on the JourneyWoman Advisory Council and is the founder of Girls’ Guide to Paris & Beyond , a women’s-only luxury travel company headed out on 30+ trips, adventures and retreats in 2021 .

Franny Belau is in International Sales for A24, the company behind Uncut Gems , Hereditary , Lady Bird , Moonlight , Ramy , Euphoria & more.

JourneyWoman Staff

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Wendy Ludwig

Thanks, great list! If you loved Roma, as I did, check out Road to Roma now on Netflix, a documentary about the making of the film. I was fascinated by Cuarón’s musings on childhood memories of Mexico City and his drive to recreate them with exacting period details. It’s a glimpse into the creative choices that shaped the film and what goes on behind the scenes to create such a beautiful work of art. Alfonso Cuaron has won 5 Academy awards, including Best Director for Roma.

Mary Anne

I lived in Mexico City from 1968-70 so the way Roma looked in B&W was so reminiscent of the Mexico City I knew and loved. The way the servants lived and the tortilla vendors on the street etc. made me feel at home while watching. I lived in Anzures so not that far from Roma. I have returned many times and have watched the skyscrapers take over the Reforma, the new location of the Diana, tunnels and elevated highways. It was so nice to not see those things. I remember going to the local movie theatre in the day time when it was so full of young lovers. Thanks for the great memories.

Joy Fox

I have probably watched every series or movie set in Scandinavia and Iceland . Netflix has had some really good shows in these countries. I may have read all the popular Scandinavian authors. I love Scandinavia🥰❤️

We always strive to use real photos from our own adventures, provided by the guest writer or from our personal travels. However, in some cases, due to photo quality, we must use stock photography. If you have any questions about the photography please let us know. Disclaimer: We are so happy that you are checking out this page right now! We only recommend things that are suggested by our community, or through our own experience, that we believe will be helpful and practical for you. Some of our pages contain links, which means we’re part of an affiliate program for the product being mentioned. Should you decide to purchase a product using a link from on our site, JourneyWoman may earn a small commission from the retailer, which helps us maintain our beautiful website. JourneyWoman is an Amazon Associate and earns from qualifying purchases. Thank you! We want to hear what you think about this article, and we welcome any updates or changes to improve it. You can comment below, or send an email to us at [email protected] .

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Armchair Travel - China

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  • When Apr 20, 2022 from 06:00 PM to 07:30 PM (America/New_York / UTC-400)
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The world is full of wonders that are waiting to be explored. However, not everyone has the time, resources or physical ability to travel to distant lands and experience different cultures. Fortunately, armchair travel offers a way for anyone to explore the world from the comfort of their own home.

Travel the world... from home!

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Where you want when you want

With the choice of travel from your armchair, you can explore the world without leaving the comfort of your own home. Thanks to the wonders of modern technology, you can experience different cultures, landscapes, and environments through virtual tours and travel videos. From the bustling streets of New York to the serene beaches of Lake Como, the world is at your fingertips. You can even visit famous landmarks like the Eiffel Tower and the Great Wall of China without ever buying a plane ticket. This option is perfect for those who are unable to travel due to health concerns, financial constraints or simply wanting to see the world from a different perspective. So, sit back, relax and embark on a virtual journey to your dream destination!

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China is making it much easier for foreigners to use mobile pay

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  • Foreign visitors to China can now spend up to $2,000 a year using the mobile app Alipay without having to register their ID, the app operator said Friday.
  • Ant Group also announced that for international travelers who do register their ID with Alipay, they can use the app for single-transactions as large as $5,000, up from $1,000 previously.
  • The changes in those transaction amounts follow announcements this month from the People's Bank of China for such increases.

BEIJING — Foreign visitors to China can now spend up to $2,000 a year using the mobile app Alipay without having to register their ID, the app operator said Friday.

That's four times more than the previous limit of $500, a move that will impact international tourists the most. The number of foreign travelers to China had declined after the country temporarily imposed strict border controls during the pandemic.

The increased transaction limit reflects Beijing's push this year to make it easier for foreign travelers to pay for daily purchases in a country in which mobile payment has become ubiquitous.

However, stringent real-name verification policies have often made it difficult for foreign visitors to China to use mobile pay.

Alipay, operated by Alibaba -affiliate Ant Group, is one of two major mobile payment apps in China. Tencent -owned WeChat Pay operates the other commonly used app.

Tencent did not confirm an exact figure for ID-free transactions using WeChat Pay, but noted foreigners could complete some payments without registering their ID.

Ant also announced Friday that international travelers who register their ID with Alipay can use the app for single transactions as large as $5,000, up from $1,000 previously.

Hong Kong's MTR says its recurrent business has more room to grow

The annual transaction limit for those who register their IDs is now $50,000 — five times more than the previous cumulative amount of $10,000, Ant said.

The changes in transaction amounts follow announcements this month from the People's Bank of China for such increases.

Ant said the changes apply to foreign visitors to China who download Alipay, or who use 10 specific overseas mobile pay apps.

The program, called Alipay+, lets existing users of certain mobile payment apps from Singapore, South Korea, Thailand, Malaysia, Mongolia, Hong Kong and Macao scan Alipay QR codes directly to pay in China.

In early February, People's Bank of China Deputy Governor Zhang Qingsong told CNBC that foreign visitors using Alipay or WeChat Pay did not need to provide ID information if the annual transaction volume was below $500.

"We are also looking at the possibility of raising the $500 threshold in the future," he said at the time.

comscore

'Consumption boom': Domestic travel surges in China during Lunar New Year

China experienced an estimated 474 million domestic travel trips during the Lunar New Year.

China experienced an estimated 474 million domestic travel trips during the Lunar New Year. Image:  Unsplash/Jimmy Woo

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armchair travel china

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Stay up to date:.

  • China experienced a sharp increase in domestic tourism during the recent Lunar New Year.
  • The level of travel and spending surpassed pre-pandemic figures, according to government data.
  • Economists, however, note that the surge in consumption does not necessarily indicate an economic revival.

People across China celebrated big during the Lunar New Year last month, with holiday travel and consumer spending surpassing pre-pandemic levels, according to government figures.

During the eight-day festival in mid-February, China experienced an estimated 474 million domestic travel trips, the country's Ministry of Culture and Tourism reported. The number of trips marked an over 34% increase from the year prior and a 19% jump from 2019.

“During this past Chinese New Year, domestic and international travel for Chinese tourists grew significantly,” Trip.com Group, the travel service conglomerate, said in a statement. “Domestically, the popularity of ice and snow travel in the north, and hot spring and island travel in the south led to a surge in interprovincial trips.”

People also spent heavily as they gathered to celebrate the Lunar New Year, also known as the Spring Festival. According to government figures, domestic tourists spent over 632 billion yuan (roughly $88 billion), an increase of 7.7% compared to holiday spending in 2019 and a 47.3% year-over-year hike.

Chinese tourists today are willing to spend more to enhance their travel experience.

“China's Spring Festival holiday has ignited a new round of consumption boom,” China’s state-run Xinhua news agency stated . “After a lapse of four years, the Chinese Spring Festival once again became the peak of global travel consumption.”

Lunar New Year decorations at the Beijing airport in February 2024.

Economic revival?

Consumer spending and domestic travel during the annual Lunar New Year is seen as an indicator of economic trends in China. Economists warn, however, that this year’s high level of consumption does not necessarily indicate an economic revival .

“Recent figures indicate that China’s consumption has finally picked up, but they are not strong enough to warrant an economic recovery led by the private sector this year,” said Seisaku Kameda, the Executive Economist at the Sompo Institute Plus, the internal think tank of the Sompo Group.

This year’s surge in domestic travel and spending comes as China continues to grapple with sluggish growth and an uneven economic recovery from the pandemic. “Consumer sentiment is mildly recovering,” Kameda added. “We, however, should not overestimate these developments.”

In January, the World Economic Forum’s Chief Economists Outlook found that China was an exception to the buoyant economic activity expected across Asia, with a “previous combination of strong and moderate growth expectations being replaced with largely moderate (69%) expectations for 2024.”

New spending patterns

In its report, China’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism added that a record 163 million people spent over 8 billion yuan ($1.1 billion) at cinemas across the country during the Lunar New Year. The movie-going figures marked an over 18% and 26% increase, respectively, compared to the year prior.

Moreover, roughly 16,300 commercial performances were held during the festival week, an over 50% increase from 2023.

“Consumption for Chinese tourists, both domestically and abroad, has also increased, but new spending patterns have arisen,” Trip.com Group added in its statement. “Chinese tourists today are willing to spend more to enhance their travel experience, whether it’s visiting unique attractions or enjoying highly customised service.”

Trip.com Group also noted a recent surge in interest in traditional Chinese cultural events such as lantern festivals and dragon dance performances and a sharp increase in customised travel orders.

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armchair travel china

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IMAGES

  1. China

    armchair travel china

  2. Armchair Travel

    armchair travel china

  3. DIY Armchair Travel to China

    armchair travel china

  4. Armchair Travel To China / China travel destinations

    armchair travel china

  5. Armchair Travel to China Card Game

    armchair travel china

  6. Armchair Travel: Heading East: A Traveler's Perspective on China

    armchair travel china

VIDEO

  1. The Stole

  2. Colored LC2 armchair LC2 chair LC2 sofa Replica

  3. This week is my 8 year China-versary! What an adventure it’s been. #china #travel #expatlife

  4. TPL: Armchair Travel To Scotland

  5. 广东最大的宗族祠堂

  6. Armchair Travel to Colorado with flight attendant, Evelyn!

COMMENTS

  1. Armchair Travel to China

    This comprehensive armchair travel activity includes everything you need for a full day of travel to CHINA. Fact files, trivia, quizzes, music, food, posters, craft and more! We hope you enjoy CHINA travelog!

  2. DIY Armchair Travel to China

    DIY Armchair Travel to China Shared By Darla Canada. ... Hi Kim Thank you for your kind words I agree that armchair travel is fun, as well as many of the other Activities suggested on the side. Kim 5th Dec 2022 Diversional Therapist . Love the ideas from here, thank you so much. My residents look forward to our Armchair travel sessions each week.

  3. Armchair Travel Resources for China

    Armchair Travel. Armchair Travel Countries A - E; Armchair Travel Countries F - J; Armchair Travel Countries K - O; Armchair Travel Countries P - T; Armchair Travel Countries U - Z; Multicultural Event Decorations; For The Boys. All Things AFL; All things NFL; All Things NRL; Cricket; Fishing ; Quizzes, Trivia and Word Games. Pick ...

  4. Armchair Travel: A Sensory Experience for Seniors

    Armchair Travel takes people to faraway places without leaving home. It provides a sensory experience and the opportunity to learn about exotic lands and important past events in a meaningful manner. This is a wonderful activity for seniors living in nursing homes and suitable for people with dementia. ... Italy, China, France, Brazil, India ...

  5. 43 Best Armchair Travel Websites: Virtual Tours & Wildlife Streams

    Sanssouci Palace & Prussian Palaces - Potsdam, Germany. Royal Palace Amsterdam - Amsterdam, Netherlands. Akasaka Palace (The State Guest House) - Minato City, Japan. Wildlife Live Streams. Mpala Research Centre - Kenya. Melbourne Zoo & Werribee Open Range Zoo - Victoria, Australia.

  6. Armchair Travel

    As the bus hurtled past rice fields we noticed these unusual looking mountains, cliffs and crags popping up. We would soon learn that the Yangshuo County is famous for these karst mountains. We arrived into downtown Yangshuo, a cute little town, with the main street dating back to the 1400s. Unlike other areas of China we had recently been in ...

  7. 75+ Armchair Travel Experiences: Virtual Tours & More!

    From 'diving' the Great Barrier Reef in Australia to Walking along the Great Wall of China; from going to the Ballet in London or watching Baby Goats in Indiana. ... Thanks for reading my guide to Online Travel & Armchair Travel: 75+ live streams, virtual tours & virtual travel experiences to help you travel without leaving home while the ...

  8. Armchair Traveling: Next Destination—Asia

    A Book about Adventures in Travel at an Uncertain Time. November 4, 2020. The Bashful Adventurer picks up a romance novel written in the late 1930s hoping to see if and how the author addressed the coming war—and ends up getting a lesson on careers in the travel and tourism industry at a time when adventures in travel were far from mainstream.

  9. Visit China: Enchanting Land of Contrasts

    You might get a sense from the video above that a lifetime would hardly be enough to explore everything that China has to offer, from historic architecture t...

  10. Armchair Travel: How To Virtually Explore The World

    The Great Wall of China; Reading. Books are the most popular way both plan a future trip and to armchair travel. When you read about a destination, you can almost feel like you're there. ... And, of course, armchair travel is the perfect way scratch that travel itch and to explore the world if you're unable to travel due to health reasons ...

  11. Armchair Travel: 16 Ways To Travel The World From Home

    Virtually Explore US National Parks. Most US National Parks offer virtual tours that are absolutely perfect for an armchair traveler. You can explore any national park you want from the comfort of your home, and you can even peek inside museums and other unique attractions that the national parks have. Of course, it's not the same as reaping ...

  12. chinese armchair travel

    Share your videos with friends, family, and the world

  13. Armchair travel to China!

    Armchair travel to China! Last Updated: 28 May 2021 @ 00:00 AM. We started the day by using our freshly made passports to virtually fly to China and enjoyed in-flight Chinese snacks, once we arrived at our destination we toured the city and its famous landmarks via YouTube. In the afternoon we played traditional Chinese games and sampled lots ...

  14. Mastering Armchair Travel: 10 Ways to Enjoy Travel from Home

    2. Snoop around on virtual museums and apps. For my fellow museum lovers, there's an easy way for you to get your fix while nestled in the arms of your own comfy bed. Many of the most famous museums in the world actually have virtual tours that you can do, including the Louvre, the MET, the British Museum, and more.

  15. Armchair Travel

    Share your videos with friends, family, and the world

  16. Armchair Travel

    Armchair Travel China 3081 4. 2. Armchair Travel to Austria. This comprehensive armchair travel activity includes everything you need for a full day of travel to AUSTRIA. Fact files, trivia, quizzes, music, food, posters, craft and more! We hope you enjoy AUSTRIA travelog!

  17. Armchair World: Tips for Travelers to The People's Republic of China

    For individuals visiting Hong Kong en route, tours to China depart regularly from that city and may be booked through China Travel Service, LTD., 77 Queens Road, Central, Hong Kong (tel. 5-259-121) or 27-33 Nathan Road, Kowloon, Hong Kong (tel. 3-721-1331).

  18. Ultimate Armchair Travel Guide: Experiencing Travel at Home

    Webcams. A unique and amazing way to enjoy armchair traveling is via webcams. There are webcams all over the world, where you can watch a live stream of a destination. When it comes to truly experiencing a destination via armchair travel, they are a game-changer!

  19. Top 10 Armchair Travel Movies from Mother-Daughter Film Buffs

    7. Roma (Mexico) A beautiful and poetic love letter from Mexico City-born from the memories of director Alfonso Cuarón. It's slow and sublime and beautifully addresses the inequity of the class structure experienced globally. A real cinematic triumph, the film won him a second Academy Award for Best Director.

  20. Armchair Travel

    Travel the world without leaving your chair. Well, you do have to come to the Library, but we'll give you another chair to sit in. If you are looking for a exotic destination packed full of new sights & experiences, stimulating, and overall different, China is the best in the world.

  21. China Vacation Travel Video Guide

    Travel video about destination China.China's Imperial City is located in the centre of its ancient Middle Kingdom, a gigantic and inscrutable empire beyond t...

  22. China

    Armchair Travel China 3069 2. Word Search: Chinese Dynasties. An Chinese-themed word search to enjoy! Word Search China 972 3. China Quiz. 20 Question about China! Quiz Multicultural China 1415 4. Snippets of Trivia from China. Here are some fascinating tidbits of Chinese trivia! Trivia China 1159 5.

  23. Home

    With the choice of travel from your armchair, you can explore the world without leaving the comfort of your own home. Thanks to the wonders of modern technology, you can experience different cultures, landscapes, and environments through virtual tours and travel videos. From the bustling streets of New York to the serene beaches of Lake Como ...

  24. China is making it much easier for foreigners to use mobile pay

    Foreign visitors to China can now spend up to $2,000 a year using the mobile app Alipay without having to register their ID, up from the previous limit of $500.

  25. Domestic travel surges in China during Lunar New Year

    People across China celebrated big during the Lunar New Year last month, with holiday travel and consumer spending surpassing pre-pandemic levels, according to government figures. During the eight-day festival in mid-February, China experienced an estimated 474 million domestic travel trips, the country's Ministry of Culture and Tourism reported.